HAPPY BRITHDAY GRAFTON

I asked Rich to write today’s blog posting as all I did was sit in my slip and wait for Rich and Carol to return.  Grafton, IL was founded by James Mason in 1832 at the point where the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers meet.  The town flourished building ships, fishing, and providing limestone for several structures in the area, including the Eads Bridge, which was the first bridge to cross the Mississippi River at St Louis.  Mussel shells from the rivers provided the raw materials for a once thriving button industry in Grafton.  The town at one time had a population of 10,000 but it now has approximately 650.  Street signs throughout Grafton indicates that the Grafton area is the wintering home of Bald Eagles from December 1 to March 1.

In 1993, the Illinois River at Grafton was 38.5 feet above its normal stage.  Grafton is sandwiched between Limestone Mountains and the river. The height that the river reached in 1993 can be seen by the sign on the side of the building which is located next to the river. Of course while Salt ‘n Sand was there the river was anywhere from 1 – 2 feet below normal.

Grafton celebrated its 175^th birthday on September 17^th with a full day of events starting with a parade and ending with a glorious fireworks display.  The parade included several bicycles that were made to look like whimsical animals including sea horses and lobsters.  The Real Housewives of Grafton even had a float.   There was a boat parade, Salt ‘n Sand did not participate.  Other events included a dog jumping display.  Labrador Retrievers would run up a ramp and jump into an aquarium that was actually a truck trailer.  The trainer of the Labs set some children in just the right place so when the dogs hit the water the splash would go over the side and land on the children.  Everyone had a good time.

Salt ‘n Sand back for this session. There were 10 other Looper boats in Grafton Marina and Rich invited them all to watch the fireworks at night, because I had one of the “best seats” in the house.  The owners of three other boats came and they had a good time exchanging experiences.  The Looper boats are beginning to bunch up as they try to adjust their schedules to get to Joe Wheeler State Park in Alabama for the rendezvous by the end of October.  Some of the owners are spending extended time at either Grafton or Alton marinas before they begin the trip down the Mississippi where there will be several days of anchoring before there are any marinas.

Each morning that I awoke in Grafton, I found myself covered with May Flies.  I did not like it and Rich would hose them off.  There were some small birds flying around me each morning to feed on the May Flies. They were my friends.  Carol was able to get this picture as one of the birds touched my sun shade and plucked a May Fly off.

Tomorrow I will be off to Alton, IL